Method and apparatus for continuous production of liquid treated crimped textile fibers



Unite States Silas M. Wheelock, North Andover, Mass., assigner toPacific Mills, Lawrence, Mass., a corporation of MassachusettsApplication June 11, 1953, Serial No. 360,990

2 Claims. (Cl. 19-66) This invention relates to a novel method andapparatus for the continuous production of liquid-treated crimpedtextile fibers. The strands of fibers are treated with an oil, emulsionor similar fluid hereinafter referred to as finish, the strands beingcomposed of natural and/or synthetic fibers. This treatment impartsdesirable 'physical attributes such as anti-static qualities, reduced orincreased inter-fiber cohesion, and/or identification marking. I providean accurate percentage-wise application of finish with reference to theweight of the textile material being so treated. I also secure an even,thorough distribution of the finish throughout the material.

In the annexed drawing the single figure is a side elevation of myapparatus.

' The strands of textile material are delivered at 1 to the nip of thefeeding rolls 2, 2 which have hardened and ground smooth steelcylindrical surfaces. The rolls are mounted in journals and are pressedtogether by suitable means to grip and squeeze the strands between them.They are driven by gearing from an electric motor, not shown. The rollsadvance the strands and pack them into the receptacle formed by thebottom plate 4, the side plate 4-A, a similar side plate 4-B and thetongue 5 pivoted at S-A, thereby crimping them as they progress alongthe receptacle under the pressure of the pivoted tongue 5. To the end ofthe tongue is secured a pin 6 to which weights may be attached to adjustthe amount of crimp imparted to the strands, both with respect to thenumber of crimps per unit length and/or the depth of crlmp. v

I provide means to apply nish to the textile strands in adjustable,accurately measured amounts per unit Weight of material, therebyeliminating the objectionable features of prior methods in which theapplication of the finish is not accurately measured.

I also provide a means for applying a finish to textile strand withouthaving said finish soil or contaminate adjacent parts of the machine orsurrounding atmosphere as in conventional drip or spray methods.

A supply tank 7 provides a gravity feed of the treating liquid to thepump 9 through the supply line 8. The pump 9 is driven through the spurgears 10 and 11, the latter being driven by the shaft 12 of theapparatus which delivers the strands of textile material at 1. To adjustthe amount of finish delivered, the gears 10 and 11 may be changed orthe speed of the shaft 12 relative to the speed of the deliveryapparatus may be altered by any conventional means.

The pump 9 is a gear type positive displacement pump calibrated todeliver a xed number of grams of finish altent per minute, proportionateto the speed at which it is driven. The finish enters the pump 9 throughthe hollow pivot arm 17 supported by the casting 19. The rotation of thegears of the pump delivers the finish through the hollow pivot arm 15from which it is conducted through the pipe 21 to the nozzles 14 fromwhich it drops on to the surface of the roll 2.

Delivery of the finish to the nozzles 14 is under the control of thesolenoid operated valve 13 connected to be actuated by the switch 20which also controls the motor which drives the rolls 2. When the switch20 is closed to supply current to the motor, the solenoid is energizedto open the valve 13 and permit the finish to flow through to thenozzles 14. The finish delivered through the nozzles 14 is deposited onthe surface of roll 2 in a very fine continuous stream, or in severalsuch streams depending on the number of nozzles used. When the motor isstopped, the solenoid valve closes and prevents the finish from drippingfrom the nozzles 14. The fine streams of finish deposited on the roll 2by the nozzles 14 flow evenly on and around the periphery of the roll.The finish is applied across the Width of the textile strands and isreadily distributed to adjacent fibers in the strands. The compressionbetween the rolls 2, 2 causes the finish to be forced through thestrands from top to bottom and upon entering the crimping receptacle allfibers are forced into close proximity to each other, thus enhancing theeven distribution of finish among the fibers of the textile strands.

If desired, an emulsion composed of Water soluble dye, water and oil maybe used to impart an identifying color to the material in addition tothe desired physical characteristics imparted by the oil.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for the continuous production of liquid-treated crimpedtextile fibers which comprises a pair of rotatable feeding rolls whichgrip and feed strands of fibers, a receptacle into which the strands arefed and in which the strands are crimped, said receptacle diminishing incross-sectional area in the direction of feed of the strands, and meansfor applying a finish to the crimped strands comprising a pump todeliver fine streams of the finish to the surface of one of the feedingrolls, a valve for controlling delivery of said finish from said pumpand means for opening said valve upon rotation of said rolls and forclosing said valve when said rolls are not being rotated.

2. A method for the continuous production of treated crimped textilefibers which comprises feeding strands of fibers by engaging them bymoving smooth surfaces, crimping the strands, applying a finish in finestreams to said surfaces, starting said streams whenever the feeding ofthe strands is started and stopping said streams whenever the feeding ofsaid strandsis stopped.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,230,272 Slayter Feb. 4, 1941 2,311,174 Hitt Feb. 16, 1943 2,575,833Pfau et al Nov. 20, 1951 2,575,838 Rainard Nov. 20, 1951 2,698,970Wicker Ian. 11, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 508,968 Great Britain July 7, 1939

